Serena Williams has ended the year in the best possible way, claiming her 3rd career WTA Championship crown and at 31 years old, holding the dubious honour of being the oldest ever champion! She defeated Sharapova 64 63, taking home her 7th title of 2012 (the most of any player this season).
Williams was always in control, hitting 40 winners and never facing break point. Sharapova did well to win as many games as she did because she was always under pressure, but as always she continued to fight.
1st Set
Williams only needed the one break in the 5th game to see the set through, hitting 19 winners to Sharapova's 7.
2nd Set
Struggling behind her 2nd serve, Sharapova was broken in the 1st and last games of the set to concede the title, despite a clean 13:12 winner:error differential
All in all, Williams proved once again that she is unplayable in this kind of form. This win takes her head to head record to 10-2 vs Sharapova and she's now won the last 9! Williams has now won 3 out of 5 finals at the Champs and finishes the year with a 58-4 win loss ratio; better than her 2002 56-5 record! Williams also joins Azarenka in passing the $7 million mark this year in earnings; both tour records. Sharapova finishes the year with the most wins of her career, 60-11 and has taken the most games from Williams since Wimbledon 2010. This was her 2nd Champs final loss and her 6th finals loss of the year! :(
Sunday, 28 October 2012
Saturday, 27 October 2012
Final Prediction
The world number 2, Sharapova and the world number 3, S. Williams will meet tomorrow in their final match of the year, the WTA Championship final.
Both women moved through the competition having topped their respective round robin groups with 3 wins and no losses. Sharapova swept Errani and Stosur aside, and battled past Radwanska in an epic 3 hour plus match. Williams didn't even drop a set in ousting Kerber, Li and the world number one Azarenka. In the all top 4 semis, it was Sharapova's turn to topple the top player, spoiling Serena's prediction that she would play Azarenka twice. Williams simply mopped up an exhausted Radwanska for the loss of 3 games.
Williams leads the head to head 9-2, winning both their meetings this year handily. Sharapova hasn't beaten Williams since the final of this very event back in 2004 and will no doubt want to erase the memory of this years Olympic final very quickly (Maria lost 60 61!) Williams seems to get in Sharapova's head from the off and considering some of the punishing losses inflicted on her by Serena, it isn't surprising.
Still, Williams has twice lost in the finals of the Championships, including 2002 to Clijsters when she was similarly as dominant as she is now. Sharapova beat Williams in 2004 and almost beat Henin in 2007, so seems to perform her best in this final. Sharapova's played well all week, but I have a feeling that Williams wants to end the year perfectly; beating the French Open champion, the worlds top 2 players, her 3rd WTA Championship crown and becoming the 1st player to win Wimbledon, Olympics, US Open and Champs in the same year. I predict a Serena success.
Both women moved through the competition having topped their respective round robin groups with 3 wins and no losses. Sharapova swept Errani and Stosur aside, and battled past Radwanska in an epic 3 hour plus match. Williams didn't even drop a set in ousting Kerber, Li and the world number one Azarenka. In the all top 4 semis, it was Sharapova's turn to topple the top player, spoiling Serena's prediction that she would play Azarenka twice. Williams simply mopped up an exhausted Radwanska for the loss of 3 games.
Williams leads the head to head 9-2, winning both their meetings this year handily. Sharapova hasn't beaten Williams since the final of this very event back in 2004 and will no doubt want to erase the memory of this years Olympic final very quickly (Maria lost 60 61!) Williams seems to get in Sharapova's head from the off and considering some of the punishing losses inflicted on her by Serena, it isn't surprising.
Still, Williams has twice lost in the finals of the Championships, including 2002 to Clijsters when she was similarly as dominant as she is now. Sharapova beat Williams in 2004 and almost beat Henin in 2007, so seems to perform her best in this final. Sharapova's played well all week, but I have a feeling that Williams wants to end the year perfectly; beating the French Open champion, the worlds top 2 players, her 3rd WTA Championship crown and becoming the 1st player to win Wimbledon, Olympics, US Open and Champs in the same year. I predict a Serena success.
Sharapova Vs Serena In Final Match
In the final match of the year for Sharapova and Williams, one will be crowned the WTA Champion tomorrow!
(Rank/Seed)
2/2 Sharapova avenged 4 losses this year in beating (1/1) Azarenka 64 62 to reach her 3rd career WTA Championship final. After trading breaks early on, Sharapova continued to force Azarenka into error as she got her serve working en route to the 1st set. Unlike their US open semi final, there would be no revival from the number 1. Struggling with a thigh injury and obvious fatigue, Azarenka soon fell into an ominous 0-4 deficit. Sharapova closed out to love to secure only her 2nd win over Azarenka this year, coincidentally also on an indoor court.
3/3 S. Williams looked coolly imperious as she swept aside (4/4) Radwanska 62 61, to reach her 5th career WTA Championship final. Radwanska was obviously exhausted after last nights epic and was simply a by stander in the match. Unfortunately nothing like the Wimbledon final, all Williams had to do was remain consistent to win the match, which she was, taking the match in just over an hour.
(Rank/Seed)
2/2 Sharapova avenged 4 losses this year in beating (1/1) Azarenka 64 62 to reach her 3rd career WTA Championship final. After trading breaks early on, Sharapova continued to force Azarenka into error as she got her serve working en route to the 1st set. Unlike their US open semi final, there would be no revival from the number 1. Struggling with a thigh injury and obvious fatigue, Azarenka soon fell into an ominous 0-4 deficit. Sharapova closed out to love to secure only her 2nd win over Azarenka this year, coincidentally also on an indoor court.
3/3 S. Williams looked coolly imperious as she swept aside (4/4) Radwanska 62 61, to reach her 5th career WTA Championship final. Radwanska was obviously exhausted after last nights epic and was simply a by stander in the match. Unfortunately nothing like the Wimbledon final, all Williams had to do was remain consistent to win the match, which she was, taking the match in just over an hour.
Semi Finals Secure
The 2 players I predicted to reach the semi finals did on the final day of the round robin.
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Azarenka mentally edged (8/8) Li 76(4) 63 to secure the year end number one ranking and a spot in her second straight WTA Championship semi final. In a scrappy and unconvincing performance by both, Li led 4-2 and served for the set at 5-4 but couldn't hold her initiative and Azarenka beat her for the 3rd time this year after racing off to a 4-1 lead in the 2nd.
2/2 Sharapova got revenge over (9/9) Stosur 60 63, dropping just 5 points in the 1st set! Stosur looked increasingly ready for a holiday!
4/4 Radwanska battled past (7/7) Errani 67(6) 75 64! In a 3 hour 29 minute war of attrition (the longest best of 3 match in WTA Championship history), both players used variety and touch to their best efforts. Errani led 2-0 and 5-4 in the 2nd, but Radwanska (surprisingly the fresher of the two) won the last 3 games without dropping a point before opening up a 3-0 3rd set lead. Though Errani came back, she had nothing left as the Pole moved through to the semis for the 1st time, rewarded for her increasing willingness to shorten the points and go to net. Still, on the back of two 3 hour plus matches, Radwanska admitted she would need extensive therapy to recover in time for the semis.
In keeping with the general theme of consistency amongst the elite in 2012, this is the 1st time since 2003 that the top 4 seeds will contest the semis and the 1st time since 1989 that the top 4 ranked women will contest them!
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Azarenka mentally edged (8/8) Li 76(4) 63 to secure the year end number one ranking and a spot in her second straight WTA Championship semi final. In a scrappy and unconvincing performance by both, Li led 4-2 and served for the set at 5-4 but couldn't hold her initiative and Azarenka beat her for the 3rd time this year after racing off to a 4-1 lead in the 2nd.
2/2 Sharapova got revenge over (9/9) Stosur 60 63, dropping just 5 points in the 1st set! Stosur looked increasingly ready for a holiday!
4/4 Radwanska battled past (7/7) Errani 67(6) 75 64! In a 3 hour 29 minute war of attrition (the longest best of 3 match in WTA Championship history), both players used variety and touch to their best efforts. Errani led 2-0 and 5-4 in the 2nd, but Radwanska (surprisingly the fresher of the two) won the last 3 games without dropping a point before opening up a 3-0 3rd set lead. Though Errani came back, she had nothing left as the Pole moved through to the semis for the 1st time, rewarded for her increasing willingness to shorten the points and go to net. Still, on the back of two 3 hour plus matches, Radwanska admitted she would need extensive therapy to recover in time for the semis.
In keeping with the general theme of consistency amongst the elite in 2012, this is the 1st time since 2003 that the top 4 seeds will contest the semis and the 1st time since 1989 that the top 4 ranked women will contest them!
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Day 4 Predictions
On the final day of round robins, there are 2 places in the semi finals on the line!
Friday's Order of Play
Sharapova vs Stosur- As a 'dead rubber,' this match may appear meaningless on paper, but in reality Sharapova will be very keen to top the White Group and go into the semis full of confidence. Sharapova has an overwhelming 10-2 head to head lead, but Stosur has won 2 of the last 3, winning here last year and just a month ago in straight sets in Tokyo. She even held match point in the match she lost in Stuttgart! Still, Sharapova's hungry for success and Stosur's loss to Errani was poor. I'm going for Sharapova.
Radwanska vs Errani- Whoever wins this match will go into the semis so there's lots on the line. Radwanska leads the head to head 5-1 and thrashed Errani on 'her' surface (clay) in Madrid earlier this year 60 61! I think she'll win comfortably.
Azarenka vs Li- As the winner of this goes into the semis this really is one to watch. The head to head is nicely tied at 4-4, but Azarenka has won the last 3, here last year and twice this season. However, both those meetings went to 3 sets and the pressure's completely with Azarenka who also hasn't yet secured the year end number one ranking. It would be a shame if the number one wasn't to make the semis and I feel Azarenka will mentally edge this one.
Friday's Order of Play
Sharapova vs Stosur- As a 'dead rubber,' this match may appear meaningless on paper, but in reality Sharapova will be very keen to top the White Group and go into the semis full of confidence. Sharapova has an overwhelming 10-2 head to head lead, but Stosur has won 2 of the last 3, winning here last year and just a month ago in straight sets in Tokyo. She even held match point in the match she lost in Stuttgart! Still, Sharapova's hungry for success and Stosur's loss to Errani was poor. I'm going for Sharapova.
Radwanska vs Errani- Whoever wins this match will go into the semis so there's lots on the line. Radwanska leads the head to head 5-1 and thrashed Errani on 'her' surface (clay) in Madrid earlier this year 60 61! I think she'll win comfortably.
Azarenka vs Li- As the winner of this goes into the semis this really is one to watch. The head to head is nicely tied at 4-4, but Azarenka has won the last 3, here last year and twice this season. However, both those meetings went to 3 sets and the pressure's completely with Azarenka who also hasn't yet secured the year end number one ranking. It would be a shame if the number one wasn't to make the semis and I feel Azarenka will mentally edge this one.
Serena Slides Into Semis
I went 2/3 again in my predictions about today's matches, and for the 1st time this tournament the higher ranked players didn't always win.
(Rank/Seed)
3/3 S. Williams once again took (1/1) Azarenka apart 64 64, snapping her 14 match winning streak. This is Serena's 11th victory against the Belorussian in total, 9th in a row and 5th of the year! Boy, does Azarenka wish Serena would retire?! All in all it was Azarenka's shocking 9 double faults, including hitting one down both set and match points that crippled her chances of success, whilst Williams was calmer and hit 11 aces, whilst recovering from 0-3 down in the 2nd set. Williams was already into the semis before this match, but she has now won her last 16 matches vs top 5 players, 11 matches against the top 2 and 6 matches against the world number 1. However, she predicts that she will have to play Azarenka again this tournament. We'll see!
8/8 Li continued her dominance against (5/5) Kerber 64 63, her 6th career win out of 7. Though Kerber led 4-2, she ran out of steam and Li used more topspin to pull Kerber around the court. Tomorrow, whoever wins between Azarenka and Li will progress to the semis. Even though she went 0-3 in her 1st championships, Kerber has endeared herself to many and should be proud of her achievements here.
7/7 Errani upended (9/A) Stosur 63 26 60 to keep her hopes of advancing into the semis alive. The alternate Stosur killed Errani in the 2nd set but a missed break point opportunity in the 1st game of the third set would prey on Stosur's mind. From thereon in, Stosur would fail to win another game, hitting a double fault down match point and seeing any chance of her progressing go out of the window. This was Errani's 2nd straight win over Stosur and her 1st win of the championships.
(Rank/Seed)
3/3 S. Williams once again took (1/1) Azarenka apart 64 64, snapping her 14 match winning streak. This is Serena's 11th victory against the Belorussian in total, 9th in a row and 5th of the year! Boy, does Azarenka wish Serena would retire?! All in all it was Azarenka's shocking 9 double faults, including hitting one down both set and match points that crippled her chances of success, whilst Williams was calmer and hit 11 aces, whilst recovering from 0-3 down in the 2nd set. Williams was already into the semis before this match, but she has now won her last 16 matches vs top 5 players, 11 matches against the top 2 and 6 matches against the world number 1. However, she predicts that she will have to play Azarenka again this tournament. We'll see!
8/8 Li continued her dominance against (5/5) Kerber 64 63, her 6th career win out of 7. Though Kerber led 4-2, she ran out of steam and Li used more topspin to pull Kerber around the court. Tomorrow, whoever wins between Azarenka and Li will progress to the semis. Even though she went 0-3 in her 1st championships, Kerber has endeared herself to many and should be proud of her achievements here.
7/7 Errani upended (9/A) Stosur 63 26 60 to keep her hopes of advancing into the semis alive. The alternate Stosur killed Errani in the 2nd set but a missed break point opportunity in the 1st game of the third set would prey on Stosur's mind. From thereon in, Stosur would fail to win another game, hitting a double fault down match point and seeing any chance of her progressing go out of the window. This was Errani's 2nd straight win over Stosur and her 1st win of the championships.
Day 3 Predictions
Thursday's Order of Play:-
Azarenka vs Williams- Williams has already secured her place in the semis, so she will be more relaxed and probably play better. She has an overwhelming 10-1 advantage in the head to head with world number one and has beaten her 4 times this year. Their last meting though was very close, with Azarenka having plenty of chances. I feel Williams will win again and really leave 2nd place in the group up for grabs.
Errani vs Stosur- Stosur has been given a chance to appear in her 3rd successive WTA Championships due to Kvitova's withdrawal and has to make the most of her chance. She's coming into the tournament in good form having been a finalist in Moscow and leads the head to head 5-1. Still, Errani won their last meeting and has already played a match here. For either of them, a win is imperative if they are to progress and I think Stosur just may edge it.
Kerber vs Li- Kerber played so well yesterday and missed out, so must win today to keep any hope of moving into the semis alive. However, Li has a 5-1 head to head against Kerber and has won their last 2 meetings this year. Still, I feel Kerber is playing at a much higher level than Li and could scrape through this one, maybe in 3 sets.
Azarenka vs Williams- Williams has already secured her place in the semis, so she will be more relaxed and probably play better. She has an overwhelming 10-1 advantage in the head to head with world number one and has beaten her 4 times this year. Their last meting though was very close, with Azarenka having plenty of chances. I feel Williams will win again and really leave 2nd place in the group up for grabs.
Errani vs Stosur- Stosur has been given a chance to appear in her 3rd successive WTA Championships due to Kvitova's withdrawal and has to make the most of her chance. She's coming into the tournament in good form having been a finalist in Moscow and leads the head to head 5-1. Still, Errani won their last meeting and has already played a match here. For either of them, a win is imperative if they are to progress and I think Stosur just may edge it.
Kerber vs Li- Kerber played so well yesterday and missed out, so must win today to keep any hope of moving into the semis alive. However, Li has a 5-1 head to head against Kerber and has won their last 2 meetings this year. Still, I feel Kerber is playing at a much higher level than Li and could scrape through this one, maybe in 3 sets.
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